in a quiet town full of good and decent people that could be any town in america. here in newtown, i come to offer the love and prayers of the nation. i am very mindful that mere words cannot match the depths of your sorrow, nor can they heal your wounded hearts. i can only hope it helps for you to know that you're not alone in your grief. that our world, too has been torn apart. that all across this land of ours, we have wept with you. we pulled our children tight. and you must know that whatever measure of comfort we can provide, we will provide. whatever portion of sadness that we can share with you to ease this heavy load, we will gladly bear it. newtown, you are not alone. as these difficult days have unfolded, we've also inspired us. with stories of strength and resolve. and sacrifice. we know that when danger arrived in the halls of sandy hook elementary, the school's staff did not flinch. they did not hesitate. dawn hochsprung and mary sherlach, vicki soto, lauren russo, rachel and anne marie murphy, they responded as we all hope we might respond in such te